We Are Expecting

Faith & Hope, Parenting, Special needs children

Big Bro

Last November I came down with a cough that would not go away. After two weeks of consistent hacking, I decided to go to the doctor to get some meds. While the nurse was examining me, she asked, “Before we prescribe you anything, is it possible that you could be pregnant?” I replied, “Well, I’m happily married and we don’t use contraceptives, so there’s always a chance.”  After looking at my calendar I told her that I was one day late, but that isn’t unusual for me.

And with that, she sent me away to pee in a cup.

So on that Tuesday, November 17, 2015, I found out that I had a virus and that we are expecting. I was extremely excited yet surprised. Two years ago, my husband and I decided that we were not done having kids, so we have not been preventing pregnancy for quite some time. I think a small part of me thought that I might not be able to get pregnant again since so much time had passed.

I wanted to find some fun way to tell Kevin, but we had ReEngage that evening so I decided to wait for a day. Unfortunately, one day quickly turned into three days. Because we had something going on every evening, there was never a good time to tell him. By Friday morning I couldn’t wait any longer, and decided to tell him before he left for work.

I told him to sit down because I needed to call a home team moment. I should probably mention that “home team” is our code for “I’m about to tell you something that may be shocking to hear. Please don’t get defensive and remember that I love you and we are on the same team.”  Pregnancy is not a situation that I would typically call a home team moment for, but I wanted to make sure I had Kevin’s full attention.

As I pulled my pregnancy test strip from a bio-hazard plastic bag , Kevin’s face relaxed and he seemed relieved. “Oh, you’re just pregnant?!” he said. We laugh now because apparently the bio-hazard bag (which the doctor had given me to save my test strip) sent the wrong initial message.

So we are excited to announce that we are having a baby boy and he is due July 20th! (Probably a bit later since my kids are typically in no hurry to be born). While we are not sure on a middle name just yet, we have decided that his first name will be Josiah, which means God supports, God heals.

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If you are familiar with our story, then you probably have a few questions. So let me write a bit more and see if I can answer them. Since my husband and I both carry a recessive gene for what is called Peroxisomal Biogenesis Disorder, that means that this baby boy does have a 25% chance of being born with PBD, just like his big brother Gideon. But that also means that Josiah has a 75% chance of not being affected, like his big sister Laynie. In light of those odds, we decided not to do any prenatal testing to determine whether or not Josiah is affected. For us, that information would not change our decision to bring him into this world, so we opted out of any testing.

Since then some people have told us we are crazy. Some have lovingly told us we are wrong. Apparently there are many who can’t understand why we would “take such a risk.” The truth is, our perspective is just different and we don’t expect everyone to understand or share our perspective. We truly hope and pray that Josiah is born healthy and free of PBD; however, we believe that God’s grace is sufficient no matter the outcome.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.    2 Corinthians 12:9

Looking back over the past three years, we have met some of the most amazing people and have been blessed in ways that we never could have imagined, all because of Gideon’s PBD diagnosis. Kevin and I have seen God do impossible things through our little boy’s life, and we believe that our lives are better, not worse, because of our mighty warrior and his struggles.

Being a mother to a child with special needs has been extremely challenging yet extremely rewarding. And no matter what happens regarding Josiah’s health, God is faithful and will continue to carry my family through every high and every low.

So stay tuned… our family’s journey will be interesting to say the least.

 

32 thoughts on “We Are Expecting”

  1. This is great news! I was just thinking the other day about your family and hoping for an update! Congratulations! ?

  2. My prayers and best wishes are with you. I pray for only the best but I know that with your strength of Faith you will be able to handle anything that God gives you. Your other two children are beautiful gifts from God. I know that the challenges are real & sometimes undaunting but the rewards & joys are immeasurable .

  3. We are so happy for you and your family. You and your family are such an inspiration and have touched more lives with your journey than you will ever know. What a perfect name for the little blessing to come and Josiah is one lucky boy. Can’t wait to read all about your family’s journey.

  4. Love reading your posts! Congrats to you all! Super excited for you guys!! Blessings!

  5. Congratulations! I am so happy for you and your precious family! Sending you lots of hugs and prayers! God is so good!

  6. Awe! Sam, so happy for you guys!! It’s a beautiful thing to bring a sweet life into this world. Josiah is a blessing already!! Congrats to you all!!

  7. WE WILL LOVE OUR NEW GRANDSON AS MUCH AS WE LOVE ALL OF OUR GRANDBABIES ! GODS BLESSINGS FOR ALL OUR FAMILY !

  9. Congratulations! That is exciting news! I’m sure your mom and dad are very excited as well. And I’m sure Laynie is excited to be a big sister again! God bless your unborn son, Josiah (love the name) and your family!

  10. congratulations! Of course I will pray for him to be healthy but I know god has given you both the wisdom and ability to love him and take care of him if he isn’t. Anything you need, just let me know!

  11. Congratulations! I couldn’t be happier for you and your family. I have wondered how things have been going for you so seeing a post from you was exciting but reading the news was true joy! Looking forward to updates. Take care.

  12. What a story to wake up to! My grandmother always told me that Hid has a reason/plan for everything and we should never question it. I cannot begin to imagine the strength and patience it takes to raise a child like Gideon. I love seeing the pictures of your family. He is a lucky little boy to be blessed with such a good supportive family. Although challenged, his life has a purpose. Why have tests done? My son has a cleft left. Had I had tests/sonograms that detected it before birth, I would have worried about it the whole time. I’m believing with you for a happy, healthy baby Josiah!! Will be watching for updates!!! 🙂 Hard to believe you kids are so grown up! Congratulations!!!!!

  13. So happy for your family. Why test? Good choice–I was in my later thirties when we had Chandler and I opted out. I know your situation is different…but I believe in you and Kevin and it just does not matter in the big picture. Love and hugs ❤️
    Melissa

  15. Congratulations!! Such sweet news. One of our boys is hard of hearing and wears hearing aids. Out of our 4 kiddos we had 8 medical diagnosis in 13 months. God gives us the strength we need! You guys are such a blessing and so encouraging!

    1. Thanks Nancy!! Sounds like you know from experience that His grace really is sufficient. 🙂 Blessings!!

  16. Mimi and Papa are super excited to meet Josiah. We love him already. Blessings always sweet Samantha, and God’s Grace is sufficient. We love you all.

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